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Here are questions that went with the announcement email(s) about this session:
In general, what do we need to know about how current teenagers communicate differently via technology?
This wiki begins to offer some answers to that question. Hopefully more specific questions will continue to be added here (add one yourself if you have one--just click "Edit this page" and type!
From Facebook to blogs, what are the dangers when our kids are actively out there in cyberspace? What safeguards exist for privacy?
In Scott's humble opinion, though there are certainly dangers, they are generally (and naturally) given more than their due expectation of frequency. Take a few minutes to watch Dean Shareski's slideshare on the resources page, where he likens the occurrence of online predation to an airplane crash. It happens incredibly infrequently, though those directly affected are intensely affected. Still people fly.
Another of my friends - scottmerrick Feb 6, 2009 has another analogy. She says that she wouldn't disallow her children from accompanying her to the grocery store because they run the risk of hearing someone cursing or seeing hatefulness or inappropriate dress. Those negative events are opportunities for dialog about what is appropriate, and chances to learn how to minimize their impact on one's well-being.
What are good sources for learning how to use parental blocks on internet and TV access?
See the "Links and Resources section on Filters and Filtering. There was considerable dialog about this topic, and a summary might be that while we recognize the impetus to filter, the technology itself can offer more problems than solutions. The best filter is a strong dialog with your children with a firm emphasis on what is the right thing to do. See "Tips."
Are there useful anecdotes (lessons learned) to help our kids make good choices?
What does USN say about texting in class? Does texting impede the use of good grammar? Is it realistic to say "no texting" or has texting become the teens’ primary form of communication?
From Page 16 in the MS Handbook
Personal Property
Personal items which may be considered distracting or pose a danger to others are expressly prohibited. Beepers, cell phones, and other personal electronic equipment are not permitted to be used from 7:50—3:15 p.m.or during hook-up, and students are discouraged from having them on campus at any time. Students must have the permission of the Head of the Middle School to sell any item of personal property at school.
Wiz...
What is a realistic household budget for technology/replacement to support our kids’ education at USN?
This one is difficult to address because there are so many complicating factors: family needs, budget, philosophy. We can, however say in general that children who attend our middle and high schools most certainly need a reliable internet access, especially as more and more communication with parents relies mainly on that through Whipplehill, and as classroom teachers more and more adopt internet resident collaborative technologies in their instruction.
Here are questions that went with the announcement email(s) about this session:
Personal Property
Personal items which may be considered distracting or pose a danger to others are expressly prohibited. Beepers, cell phones, and other personal electronic equipment are not permitted to be used from 7:50—3:15 p.m.or during hook-up, and students are discouraged from having them on campus at any time. Students must have the permission of the Head of the Middle School to sell any item of personal property at school.
Wiz...
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